Hello again Everyone,
What a great John day this has been! First a four page letter, then a surprise phone call! About 6:30 this evening John called because he had won a phone call. They were doing a Bayonet attack drill and John was the last man standing out of 200. Apparently, the drill sergeants had given a long series of orders for the drill. you know, one thing after another on a list of about 10 ten things to do but given all at once. John was the only one who did all the steps in the right order without forgetting what the orders were. My son, the genius! Go John! We talked for about 5-6 minutes and he sounded good but tired. He gave me a few more details about what they are doing.for example, they get woken up around 4:20 or so and lay there until the lights are turned on, then get up, run around trying to get shaved, their teeth brushed, beds made perfectly and standing attention, ready for PT by 5:00. John has figured out a way to streamline the process. He sleeps on top of the covers with just a blanket covering him. This blanket must be folded and laid across his pillow in the morning so all John has to do when he gets out of bed is straighten the covers on the bed a little, fold the blanket and lay it across the pillow. Viola! Bed made!
He talked about missing his friends and Austin. He was glad to talk to you guys. He's doing well but still adjusting to not living in Austin and his new Army life. Keep praying for him. He appreciates it.
'Til next time,
Mom
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Letter from John
Hello Everyone,
I received a long letter from John. He wrote it Feb. 19th and asked me to post it for all of you.
Dear Mom,
Red Phase, the first three weeks of Basic, is going to be hard. My morale is high but I'm really frustrated with people not being able to follow simple directions. I'm having a hard time getting used to not saying "thank you", "I'm sorry", "yeah", "ok", "Sir", "Ma'am", etc. I get smoked every time I do...oops. I also have already gained 7 pounds. I am up to 149 from 142. I am eating very well, but very quickly. You wouldn't believe how fast I can kill a huge tray of food. About four minutes. For breakfast today I ate French toast, eggs, lucky charms, yogurt, and Gatorade. For lunch I had chili and rice and Gatorade. For dinner I had...get this, Veal Parmesan, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes and salad and of course Gatorade. We have been getting smoked constantly. In the middle of writing this letter, we got dropped for 35 push-ups and about 10 minutes in the front leaning rest position 'cause no one would shut the heck up. I went to church this morning. Our chaplain is a really nice guy from Haiti. He is a captain so when we see him we have to stand at attention. Then he says, "Carry on," and we go about our business. After church I went to a meeting for people interested in joining the choir. I love to sing and I should get to play a guitar! That will be nice as we don't get much chance to display individuality and creativity around here. It's weird wearing my ACU's, (my camo uniform) to church.
As far as training goes, during this week we have mostly sat in classrooms and gotten briefings on how the army works, and taking care of ourselves, (hygiene, finances, etc.). We have also been PTing every morning. We had our first PT test 2 days ago, I didn't do too well. I only got 22 push-ups, 36 sit-ups, and 2miles in 17:59, all failing scores. I'll get it together though. Practice makes perfect and I've been practicing a lot. Well, gotta sleep now.
Miss everyone,
PFC John Owens
I received a long letter from John. He wrote it Feb. 19th and asked me to post it for all of you.
Dear Mom,
Red Phase, the first three weeks of Basic, is going to be hard. My morale is high but I'm really frustrated with people not being able to follow simple directions. I'm having a hard time getting used to not saying "thank you", "I'm sorry", "yeah", "ok", "Sir", "Ma'am", etc. I get smoked every time I do...oops. I also have already gained 7 pounds. I am up to 149 from 142. I am eating very well, but very quickly. You wouldn't believe how fast I can kill a huge tray of food. About four minutes. For breakfast today I ate French toast, eggs, lucky charms, yogurt, and Gatorade. For lunch I had chili and rice and Gatorade. For dinner I had...get this, Veal Parmesan, mac n cheese, mashed potatoes and salad and of course Gatorade. We have been getting smoked constantly. In the middle of writing this letter, we got dropped for 35 push-ups and about 10 minutes in the front leaning rest position 'cause no one would shut the heck up. I went to church this morning. Our chaplain is a really nice guy from Haiti. He is a captain so when we see him we have to stand at attention. Then he says, "Carry on," and we go about our business. After church I went to a meeting for people interested in joining the choir. I love to sing and I should get to play a guitar! That will be nice as we don't get much chance to display individuality and creativity around here. It's weird wearing my ACU's, (my camo uniform) to church.
As far as training goes, during this week we have mostly sat in classrooms and gotten briefings on how the army works, and taking care of ourselves, (hygiene, finances, etc.). We have also been PTing every morning. We had our first PT test 2 days ago, I didn't do too well. I only got 22 push-ups, 36 sit-ups, and 2miles in 17:59, all failing scores. I'll get it together though. Practice makes perfect and I've been practicing a lot. Well, gotta sleep now.
Miss everyone,
PFC John Owens
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Postcard from John
Friends and loved ones,
Today I received a postcard from John. It was just a quick note to say the drill sergeants are crazy and to give me his address. Of course we already have it but I'm going to post it anyway because there appear to be minor adjustments.
PFC Owens, John
D-Co 2-60th INF REGT
3rd Platoon Cold Steel
Fort Jackson, SC 29207
Don't forget the number "3" on the back of the envelope.
Love to all,
Mom
Today I received a postcard from John. It was just a quick note to say the drill sergeants are crazy and to give me his address. Of course we already have it but I'm going to post it anyway because there appear to be minor adjustments.
PFC Owens, John
D-Co 2-60th INF REGT
3rd Platoon Cold Steel
Fort Jackson, SC 29207
Don't forget the number "3" on the back of the envelope.
Love to all,
Mom
Monday, February 26, 2007
I forgot something important
Oops,
I forgot to tell everyone something important. When you write a letter to John, be sure to put a 3 on the back of the envelope. If the 3 is not there, he has to do push ups. Not the end of the world, but just a little break from the 50,000 other push ups he's doing during the rest of his day.
Thanks,
Mom
I forgot to tell everyone something important. When you write a letter to John, be sure to put a 3 on the back of the envelope. If the 3 is not there, he has to do push ups. Not the end of the world, but just a little break from the 50,000 other push ups he's doing during the rest of his day.
Thanks,
Mom
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Good News from John
Hello all,
We heard from John this evening. He sounded good. He says he's used to the drill sergeants yelling, says they are doing their jobs and he's just doing his. The weather in South Carolina has been cool, although it did rain all night the night they slept out in tents. Apparently, they have to march to this remote location with heavy survival packs on their backs and of course with their rifles. By the time they get there, their tent gear has been brought in. They have to set up and stay for a night or two, "surviving," in the middle of nowhere eating MREs. That's meals ready to eat. Yum! Speaking of food, you will all be happy to know that John has gained about 10 pounds, all muscle. His only semi-free day is Sunday. John spends most of the day at church. He's singing in the choir, which meets before the service for practice. Then, he goes to the service. After that is chow. Then back to church for more choir practice.
He called around 7:00pm and had about five minutes of phone time.
I am so thankful to hear from him and even more thankful that he is doing well.
Thanks so much for your prayers. It means so much!
Mom
We heard from John this evening. He sounded good. He says he's used to the drill sergeants yelling, says they are doing their jobs and he's just doing his. The weather in South Carolina has been cool, although it did rain all night the night they slept out in tents. Apparently, they have to march to this remote location with heavy survival packs on their backs and of course with their rifles. By the time they get there, their tent gear has been brought in. They have to set up and stay for a night or two, "surviving," in the middle of nowhere eating MREs. That's meals ready to eat. Yum! Speaking of food, you will all be happy to know that John has gained about 10 pounds, all muscle. His only semi-free day is Sunday. John spends most of the day at church. He's singing in the choir, which meets before the service for practice. Then, he goes to the service. After that is chow. Then back to church for more choir practice.
He called around 7:00pm and had about five minutes of phone time.
I am so thankful to hear from him and even more thankful that he is doing well.
Thanks so much for your prayers. It means so much!
Mom
Friday, February 23, 2007
Still waiting to hear from John
Dear Family & Friends,
I know it's been a while since my last post. I haven't heard from John but I understand that's not unusual especially during the first three weeks of Basic. They don't get too much free time to write or make phone calls. He's likely doing things like lots of physical training, scrubing floors for slightest infraction, sleeping with his gun which has to be clean & polished, and eating three times a day for about five minutes at a time and generally jumping when they say to. Some people with experiecne told me the first three weeks are the hardest so I'll be glad when he gets past that point. He's half way there.
Please keep praying for him and please write to him as often as you can. Right now it is his only link to those who love him.
Thanks for caring. :)
Mom
I know it's been a while since my last post. I haven't heard from John but I understand that's not unusual especially during the first three weeks of Basic. They don't get too much free time to write or make phone calls. He's likely doing things like lots of physical training, scrubing floors for slightest infraction, sleeping with his gun which has to be clean & polished, and eating three times a day for about five minutes at a time and generally jumping when they say to. Some people with experiecne told me the first three weeks are the hardest so I'll be glad when he gets past that point. He's half way there.
Please keep praying for him and please write to him as often as you can. Right now it is his only link to those who love him.
Thanks for caring. :)
Mom
Sunday, February 18, 2007
John's Address
Hello All,
John called me Friday night. It was a short conversion and he had to go in a hurry. He said he was mad because they had to do push ups for thirty minutes straight because some guy couldn't find his hat. Guess where the hat was. In his pocket! He said he's really homesick (for Austin) so he would appreciate any letters. The most complete address I have is:
PFC Owens, John F.
D Co, 2nd BN 60th INF
3rd Platoon Cold Steel
Ft Jackson, SC 29207
Please write him if you can. This is a really challenging time for John.
He sends his love to all of you.
Keep praying,
Mom
John called me Friday night. It was a short conversion and he had to go in a hurry. He said he was mad because they had to do push ups for thirty minutes straight because some guy couldn't find his hat. Guess where the hat was. In his pocket! He said he's really homesick (for Austin) so he would appreciate any letters. The most complete address I have is:
PFC Owens, John F.
D Co, 2nd BN 60th INF
3rd Platoon Cold Steel
Ft Jackson, SC 29207
Please write him if you can. This is a really challenging time for John.
He sends his love to all of you.
Keep praying,
Mom
Friday, February 16, 2007
Hi Sarah
Sarah,
Thanks for checking the blog. I will post John's address as soon as I have it. Thanks for writing John. It means alot to him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lucy
Thanks for checking the blog. I will post John's address as soon as I have it. Thanks for writing John. It means alot to him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lucy
Letter from John
Hello all,
I received a letter from John today. It was mailed on Sunday, Feb. 11th. He says reception battallion is boring, not much to learn. Unfortunately, he & several others in his company got that nasty stomach bug but he says he's feeling better. The highlight during that time was the opportunity to watch a little TV. He was in the hospital waiting room at the time & felt so crummy, he didn't much enjoy it. He said he would ship to Basic Combat Training on Wed. That would have been Valentine's day. He is having a hard time adjusting to Army life as he really misses Austin & his friends. He didn't get to go to church since he was sick but says he prays constantly! As soon as I get a complete address for him I'll let you know. In the meantime, he would appreciate your prayers. Thanks for loving & supporting John. :)
Mom
I received a letter from John today. It was mailed on Sunday, Feb. 11th. He says reception battallion is boring, not much to learn. Unfortunately, he & several others in his company got that nasty stomach bug but he says he's feeling better. The highlight during that time was the opportunity to watch a little TV. He was in the hospital waiting room at the time & felt so crummy, he didn't much enjoy it. He said he would ship to Basic Combat Training on Wed. That would have been Valentine's day. He is having a hard time adjusting to Army life as he really misses Austin & his friends. He didn't get to go to church since he was sick but says he prays constantly! As soon as I get a complete address for him I'll let you know. In the meantime, he would appreciate your prayers. Thanks for loving & supporting John. :)
Mom
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Gettin' Smoked
Friends and Family,
John called around 6:15pm last evening. He sounded good but he said they've been "gettin' smoked." Militarily, that means that if there are a few guys not quite following orders or not moving fast enough, the whole platoon has to pay by doing push ups, etc. Apparently, they've gotten smoked a few times. When the drill sergeant calls, "drop," they do! Then she orders, "down, up, down, up," for the push ups. She lingered a while after the down order, leaving John's arms screaming a little. Hopefully, everyone will learn quickly. He also said he had gotten around 7 hours of sleep the night before, the first since he left on the 7th! And guess what? John is the PG. That's Platoon Guide. He's in charge of his platoon and calls them to attention. He also says they do a little army chanting, you know like, "I don't know but I've been told.." stuff. He sends his love to all of you.
Keep praying,
Mom
John called around 6:15pm last evening. He sounded good but he said they've been "gettin' smoked." Militarily, that means that if there are a few guys not quite following orders or not moving fast enough, the whole platoon has to pay by doing push ups, etc. Apparently, they've gotten smoked a few times. When the drill sergeant calls, "drop," they do! Then she orders, "down, up, down, up," for the push ups. She lingered a while after the down order, leaving John's arms screaming a little. Hopefully, everyone will learn quickly. He also said he had gotten around 7 hours of sleep the night before, the first since he left on the 7th! And guess what? John is the PG. That's Platoon Guide. He's in charge of his platoon and calls them to attention. He also says they do a little army chanting, you know like, "I don't know but I've been told.." stuff. He sends his love to all of you.
Keep praying,
Mom
Friday, February 9, 2007
Latest from John
Hi everyone.
Here's the latest from John. He arrived in South Carolina around 10:00pm our time on Wednesday Feb. 7th. That's 11:00 pm South Carolina time. He had played the hurry up and wait game all day. The group he was in arrived at the San Antonio airport around noon and didn't leave until 5:00pm. He told me that the bus to pick them up to go to Ft. Jackson would arrive around midnight and once they got to the base, they would have more processing so sleep for Wednesday night would be limited to about an hour. He said that once they got to the base, they would take his cell phone so he wasn't sure when he could call me again. I'll let you know when I here from him. I know he appreciates your prayers.
Peace,
Mom
Here's the latest from John. He arrived in South Carolina around 10:00pm our time on Wednesday Feb. 7th. That's 11:00 pm South Carolina time. He had played the hurry up and wait game all day. The group he was in arrived at the San Antonio airport around noon and didn't leave until 5:00pm. He told me that the bus to pick them up to go to Ft. Jackson would arrive around midnight and once they got to the base, they would have more processing so sleep for Wednesday night would be limited to about an hour. He said that once they got to the base, they would take his cell phone so he wasn't sure when he could call me again. I'll let you know when I here from him. I know he appreciates your prayers.
Peace,
Mom
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
And I'm off...
Hi everyone. Just wanted to take this last opportunity to tell you whats going on myself before my mom has to start doing the updates. I'm officially active duty in the Army as of this morning. I woke up at 4:00am (0400) and went to the MEPS (miltary entrance processing station) I had a brief physical and then took my oath of enlistment. Now I am sitting at the airport waiting for my flight... and the plane just got to the terminal! Gotta type fast now... anyways, I will be flying out to Ft. Jackson very soon and am really excited the nervousness has pretty much worn off and I just ready to rock and roll. Just so you know I have met some great guys already. The two guys that are on my flight are both Military Intelligence guys and both very intelligent. Thats nice cause I was a little worried about having nobody to hold decent conversation with. Well... Thats all for now. I miss everyone already. I'll write you all soon! BYE!
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Getting Ready for Basic
This blog is setup as a way for people who know me to check up on how things are going at basic training. I will be sending letters to my parents for them to post online. Know that during basic training I will not be able to read any comments on this website as my parents will be doing all of the editing, but they will be posting my address on here and I would love you to send me letters. Please send me letters, they are the only thing that will keep me sane. Plus, if I don't get letters there is a chance that instead of reading your lovely correspondence I will have to do push-ups... save my arms, write me a letter. I will write as many of you back as I can. Thanks and happy reading!
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